Thanks for the ideas, Mike. I am using FM for sure, and no I was never able to receive ARISSat-1 with the stock antenna in the shack. I'll certainly try removing the duplexer. And thank for the info about the roofing material. I don't have aluminum siding, but I don't know about that kind of roofing material. The roof was replaced recently, is all I can tell you at the moment. I'll also try outside.

Thanks again

Burns, W2BFJ

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Burns: ? Make sure your receive mode for frequency 145.950 is FM on your Kenwood F6A handheld. ? Before you?upgraded with additional hardware could you receive ARISSat-1 signals using the stock antenna inside your shack? ? If you can, the next step is to?remove the Diamond 2m/70cm duplexer as it might be blocking the amplified signal from your SSB? 2m pre-amp. ? If that does not?help, then?it could be that?the satellite signal are being degraded more than 75 percent or blocked entirely by the orient strand board (OSB) radiant barrier roof sheathing which is backed with a specially designed aluminum foil. The same goes if your dwelling exterior is fabricated with aluminum siding. ? It that is the case, then your only hope is to mount the antenna outside. ? ? 73's ? Mike Schaffer KA3JAW Tampa, Florida EL87